Politics & Government

Lower Merion Meeting Preview: Planning Commission Public Workshop Tonight

The Commission will discuss 'institutional' land use as it pertains to the Comprehensive Plan.

The Lower Merion Township Planning Commission will hold a public workshop this evening from 7 to 9 p.m. to discuss the township’s Comprehensive Plan.

The workshop’s goal is to provide a public forum, suggestions and direction for the Planning Commission as it evaluates the recommendations of the “Issues Report” regarding institutional land uses.

Recently, the township defined three general categories for “institutional land use” for the purposes of discussion purposes. They are:

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  • Infill: “Institutions which are actively growing either by infill of their existing boundaries or through purchase of adjacent land. Examples include St. Josephs University, Shipley School, Haverford School, Baldwin School and Merion Cricket Club.”
  • Redevelopment: “Institutions which may completely change in use, character and intensity through redevelopment such as the Palmer Theological Seminary, St. Justin’s Martyr Catholic Church and the Penn Valley Women’s Club. In recent years the Township has experienced different issues with the redevelopment of similar properties such as the Christian Science Church and the former Akiba Academy.”
  • Preservation: “Institutions which contain temporarily protected opens space, historic or cultural resources. Many of these Institutions are important to the character of their particular neighborhood. Examples include the Palace Missions, the Riverbend Environmental Education Center, the Henry Foundation and the Barnes Museum.”

After an introduction and background, there will be discussions about the concept of an “institutional overlay,” the definition of “special exceptions,” and “transfer of development” rights.

The meeting wraps up with a discussion of the relationship of institutional uses to other elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 

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Unless otherwise noted, all Lower Merion Township meetings are held in the Township Administration Building’s 2nd Floor Board Room, at 75 East Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore.


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